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Mar 01

Spring Schedule Update

By billalpert | Events , Studio News

Dear Alpert Studio Students and Families,

There will be no voice lessons from 4:30 p.m. on, during the week of March 7 – March 10. Melanie is directing a show, and that is tech week.

Additionally, there will be no voice or violin lessons the week of March 21 – March 25, as this is the studio Spring Break.

Voice Students: If you are paying for the month in advance, please adjust your payment accordingly.

Thank You and Happy Spring!

Melanie Alpert

Jan 10

How to buy a cheap violin without getting burned

By billalpert | Bill Alpert Journal , violin

I recently received this question from an adult violin student:

Thanks so much for your help. I am a 54 year old male … who in Sept. 2010 began playing the violin in a group strings program at. We have group lessons twice a week. I had decided to begin learning to play the viola also and need to buy a viola, 16.5 I think. There are so many brands including Franz Hoffman, Klaus Mueller, Palatino, Yin-Yin,  etc. I need an inexpensive instrument and was considering the Yin-Yin or Mueller Prelude, or Franz Hoffman. Shar Music has Franz Hoffman, Instrumental and Southwest have the other brands but I can’t find any kind of review of the various brands. Can you help with a resource for reviews or give me some direction in this? –John

Thankfully, today there are more resources than ever to obtain a quality violin or viola on a tight budget. This is especially true since factory made instruments imported from China have dramatically improved in recent years. This article from Strings Magazine tells the story, as directs you to additional resources that you’ll find helpful.

Remember, it’s easy to be fooled by appearances, so if you’re not certain about the craftsmanship of any instrument, be sure to have it checked by a luthier or professional player/teacher who you trust. The cost to remediate a poorly made violin can easily exceed what you paid for it. I’d suggest avoiding private party sellers on e-Bay. Stick with a known dealer with a clearly defined return or trial policy.

Jan 04

Parents as Partners Online Program

By billalpert | Events , Studio News , violin

The Alpert Studio is proud to offer this innovative program free of charge to its family of violin students:

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To view 4 minute video click here

Parents As Partners Online starts January 17 and runs through February 28.

Informative talks on various parent education and Suzuki education topics will be published each week. Video sessions are 10 to 20 minutes each. Participants can access the site at any time, day or night, to take advantage of these informative, inspiring, and concise presentations. Once published, everything will remain online until the end on February 28.

We aim to nurture the parent side of the Suzuki triangle on such invaluable subjects as:

  • Practice: building a strong parent-child relationship; managing frustration; strategies for creating a successful practice
  • Repetition and Review: the whys and hows
  • Balancing Busy Schedules
  • Reflections and advice on the Suzuki Journey
  • Managing the Teenager Years: The Road to Independence
  • The Changing Role of the Parent
  • The Importance of Listening
  • Childhood Memories of Dr. Suzuki
  • Institute Experiences: What it’s all about
  • What Current Publications are saying about “Talent”

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive emails with schedule details and other information when available. Online discussions, video presentations, and special “events” are just a few of the opportunities to expect.

For more information contact Bill Alpert: bill at thealpertstudio.com

Dec 11

Don’t Just Sing: First Graduates

By billalpert | Student News , Studio News , voice

2010 Alpert Studio Master Class Participants

Danny Gurwin, Brandon Alpert and Don’t Just Sing Graduates

It’s truly exciting to see the growth of professional level skills in young performers, especially in a short six week span. That’s just what happened in these intensive sessions; each performer brought new life and new excitement to their song performances. Forging this strong connection between acting and singing is the mark of a mature performer. But it’s astonishing to see it in a 13 year old.

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As teachers, we seek to cultivate the patience and skills that give even the youngest students the ability to master both the technical and artistic challenges of performance. It’s a rewarding process for those who value personal growth as well as the arts.

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Kudos to our first Don’t Just Sing, Say Something master class graduates! The class was a hit all around! Look for more such classes in the near future.

Oct 02

Master Class and Intensive: Don’t Just Sing, Say Something!

By billalpert | Events , voice

Led by Brandon Alpert and Broadway’s Danny Gurwin

A Six Week Musical Theater Workshop Presented by The Alpert Studio for ages 13-25

November 1 – December 6, 2010
Six Monday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

What’s the magic ingredient that will unlock your talent, rivet your audience and get you the part?

Acting is now the single most important factor in booking jobs in musical theater.

In the past, performers could book jobs based on sheer vocal quality, but those times have come to an end. In the contemporary theater world, the interpretation of the song comes first and foremost. To succeed in today, you must not only be believable, but able to act and communicate your song in a way that is clear, and  specific, yet layered.
Participation is limited – Enroll Now to Reserve Your Spot.

This class is open to the general public, as well as friends and families of the Alpert Studio, so tell your friends!
Tuition: $150 per student, $100 per additional student (siblings)

TO ENROLL CLICK HERE

Who Should Attend:
This intensive is aimed at the serious student, who is looking to be a part of the competitive, but rewarding world of musical theater. It will prepare you for your musical theater audition, and give you all the tools (and songs) you need to book the job.

We will explore the world of song interpretation in depth, with a strong focus on the fundamentals of acting a song.

We are honored to feature Broadway star Danny Gurwin who will lead a dual session master class. Performers will have the opportunity to work at every session with pianist and accompanist Janet Noll.

Finding your song (by Brandon Alpert)

The shortest path to successfully acting a song, is finding the right material. In fact, you must have an audition songbook, with multiple pieces of varying styles, to winningly showcase your talent.

Before I understood this process, I often fell into the trap (as many young singers do) of choosing songs that simply sounded pretty. Songs that simply showed off my voice. I wasn’t getting the results I desired at auditions. I eventually learned, from people like Danny Gurwin, how to find songs that not only showed off my voice, but also told a personal story. I learned that the right material naturally builds a connection between singer, song and audience.
Once I built up my new collection of songs, people took notice and I began to book more jobs than ever before. All I needed was some guidance, feedback and a bit of inspiration. That’s exactly what you’ll get here.

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.”
– Meryl Streep

There is no specific set of rules to successfully acting a song, but to truly understand and communicate your material, you must start with the lyrics. By performing your song as a monologue, you’ll better comprehend the writer’s intentions, and begin the journey toward creating an authentic experience. Therefore, you aren’t just singing, you’re saying something. And here, we’ll work hard to discover what that actually means.

The class is called “Don’t Just Sing, Say Something” because as a performer without a message, the audience (or your audition panel) will tune you right out.
How many times have you seen a performer who simply bored you? Find out why… exactly what was missing, and the most common pitfalls to avoid.
To be a great acting singer, (and that’s our goal for the class) you must be able to fully comprehend (for every song you sing) who you are, what you are singing about, and most importantly, WHY you are singing. This class will make you reach deeper within yourself every time you step on stage.

Biographies:
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Brandon Alpert
Award winning actor and singer, Brandon Alpert is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Brandon is a busy performer and teacher, working all over Southern California.  He has appeared in over 20 productions including most recently, acclaimed productions of “RENT”, and “Urinetown”. He recently signed with Buchwald Talent Group, one of the finest agencies in the entertainment business. This past summer, he attended the “MAKING IT ON BROADWAY” Intensive, and was a part of National Teachers of Singing Conference in Salt Lake City.

“ Brandon, brings life and love to his character and also has a truly beautiful voice” – Darcie Flanburg

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Danny Gurwin

A Broadway veteran for the last 12 years, learn from one of New York’s best! With shows such as Little Women, Urinetown, The Full Monty, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Kismet, A Little Night Music, Forbidden Broadway, A New Brain, and The Thing About Men to name a few, Danny Gurwin has hands-on experience working with some of the New York Theatre’s most accomplished directors, choreographers, designers, and actors.

“Danny manages to push you to places with your talent you never thought possible, in a completely safe and always encouraging environment. Ultimately, he focuses on bringing back an honesty to Musical Theatre, digging for truth in a character with every song a journey of self-realization. To put it simply, after working with Danny, I feel as if I could do anything without any restrictions or fear. I could conquer any obstacle or challenge the business has to offer.”
– Kelly McCormack

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Janet Noll, accompanist

Janet Noll has earned degrees from the University of Kentucky (Bachelor of Music and Master of Library Science) and the University of Montana (Master of Music). Ms. Noll’s accompanying and coaching experience spans thirty-five years, and includes work in the areas of chamber music, solo, vocal and instrumental duo work, choral ensembles, musical theatre and opera productions. She is a solo and duo pianist, harpsichordist, fortepianist, and chamber musician.

Aug 21

Voice Lesson Reminder

By billalpert | Studio News , voice

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Hello everyone!

Hope you all had a lovely and relaxing summer. Now it’s time to get back to work!

Voice lessons start up again this week. If you have not been contacted, your lesson time will remain the same.

Let’s make this a great season of learning!

Melanie Alpert

Jul 20

Summer Break Reminder

By billalpert | Studio News

It’s once again Summer break time. Please note:

Voice Students:
There will no voice lessons from July 25 through August 22nd. Lessons will resume as normal the week of August 23rd.

Violin Students:
There will be no violin lessons between July 26-August 6. Lessons will resume as normal on Monday, August 9.

Have a safe, wonderful and musical summer. See you soon!

Bill and Melanie Alpert

Jul 12

A Magical Summer

By billalpert | Student News , Studio News

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Genevieve Ellis and Maggie Anderson in Peter Pan

Summer finds a bevy of Alpert Studio students learning, rehearsing and performing. Currently in performance are students Maggie Anderson and Genevieve Ellis in a wonderful production of Peter Pan at the Lewis Family Playhouse of the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, Rancho Cucamonga. Tickets and information here.

More studio news will follow in the next few days. If you have news, and you’re part of our studio family, or know someone who is, let us know. We’ll be happy to post it for you.

Enjoy your summer!

Jun 17

Listen and Learn

By billalpert | violin

I’m always impressed by what my violin students are doing, though today I was extra impressed by 8 year old Zachary. I’d been wondering how well he’s been keeping up with his listening assignments and today I found out.

I played the opening notes of two separate end of Suzuki Book 1 songs that Zach has yet to study. He was able to pick out the remaining notes of both songs without any assistance. He had absorbed them simply by listening.

Need to learn a new piece? Start by listening, listening, listening. Listening works in amazing ways.

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